With the second half of the Jaguars’ season under way, it’s hard to assess the nightmare that transpired the first nine weeks without handing this franchise some brooms, mops and garbage cans. Unmistakably, head coach Mike Mularkey, his staff and the players have a lot to clean up. Losing their only prime-time game Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts ensured the Jaguars of retaining the NFL’s worst record, which includes an unprecedented five blowout losses at EverBank Field. Owner Shad Khan has made it clear he won’t make any major changes until after the season, which now seems inevitable. The 1-8 Jaguars have a bigger mess on their hands than at any time in franchise history. A breakdown on the midterm report card. It’s not a pretty sight.

F: Of all the disappointing numbers connected to this team, none may be more surprising than having the NFL’s No. 28-ranked running game (78.8 yards per game). Granted, Maurice Jones-Drew missing four games factors into that equation. You don’t lose the NFL rushing leader for nearly half the season and expect to produce at the same rate. What has become clear is that backup Rashad Jennings (74 carries, 221 yards, 3.0-yard avg.) represents a bigger dropoff from Jones-Drew than the Jaguars’ coaching staff anticipated in preseason. Jennings doesn’t have the same instincts for picking holes or getting extra yards on a consistent basis. The offensive line, despite staying relatively healthy with the exception of left guard, has had little chance to get into a running rhythm. The only time the Jaguars established the run, when Jones-Drew ran for 177 yards against the Colts in their first meeting, they won. Of course, there’s not much chance to pound away at opponents after falling behind early by big margins. That explains why the Jaguars have the league’s second-fewest rushing attempts per game (21.4) and are on pace for the lowest rushing total in team history.

Passing Offense

F: The only good thing that can be said about this passing attack at the moment is it doesn’t stink as badly as 2011. In quarterback Blaine Gabbert’s rookie season, the Jaguars reached franchise lows in yards (2,083), yards per attempt (5.24) and passing first downs (122). The signing of Laurent Robinson to a five-year deal worth $32.5 million, the top-five selection of Justin Blackmon, and development of Cecil Shorts has so far represented only a slight upgrade. The Jaguars have the league’s second-worst passing numbers (184.8 yards per game), but a lot of those yards came when the outcome was decided. Gabbert (160 of 276, 1,638 yards) has improved his accuracy and made a few big plays, but too often settles for checkdown passes because receivers aren’t getting separation. The Jaguars don’t take enough chances downfield and are plagued by too many drops. Gabbert had two great moments when he connected with Shorts on dramatic passes in the final minute for a 39-yard TD at Minnesota and an 80-yard, game-winning score at Indianapolis. Robinson flashes occasionally, but Blackmon is not living up to his draft status. An ineffective running game has made it harder for Gabbert to achieve consistency.

Rushing Defense

F: Remember when the one thing you could count on from Mel Tucker’s unit last year was to neutralize the opponent’s ground game? No longer. Undoubtedly, the team’s top outside linebackers, Daryl Smith (groin) and Clint Session (concussion), being sidelined the entire season is a factor. Smith has terrific ball instincts and is one of the franchise’s most underrated players. It’s a lot to expect Kyle Bosworth, Russell Allen or Julian Stanford to completely fill that void. But the Jaguars allowing 137.4 yards rushing per game (27th in NFL) and 75 rushing first downs (third-most in NFL) isn’t all a result of a couple injuries. When a team is on pace to allow the most rushing yards in franchise history (2,071, 2002), there’s obviously issues with tackling, technique and, at times, intensity. The Bears gashed the Jaguars for 214 yards and 6.5 yards per rush. The Texans and Lions also mauled them in the running game. Interior tackles Tyson Alualu, C.J. Mosley and Terrance Knighton are adequate, but they’re not playing at a high enough level to allow players around them to get stops near the line of scrimmage.

Pass Defense

D: You could play the injury card and say that the secondary losing starters Derek Cox, Rashean Mathis and Dwight Lowery for a combined 13 games was a significant blow. Or that not having pass-rushers Austen Lane, John Chick and George Selvie forced starters like Jeremy Mincey to play too many snaps. There’s no denying that had an impact. But every team has injuries and the replacements have to make sure this part of the game doesn’t become a liability. It doesn’t seem to matter who’s in coverage or rushing the passer, the Jaguars still allow opponents to accumulate too much passing yardage (251.7 per game) and big plays at the wrong time. An inexcusable 27-yard completion by the Minnesota Vikings in the closing seconds and a fourth-down pass interference penalty in the end zone at Oakland cost them two victories. That’s not just on the defensive backs covering, but also on the NFL’s worst pass rush, which has just 10 sacks in 319 pass attempts (one every 31.9 attempts). If you can’t get to the quarterback, and the Jaguars haven’t played many elite ones this year, then you’re going to pay a heavy price.

Special Teams

C-: Despite having one of the better punter/placekicker combinations in the league, the Jaguars are unable to cultivate any real advantage from having rookie Bryan Anger or veteran Josh Scobee handling those duties. Anger is seventh in the NFL in net punting average (42.3), but that is negated by an inability from the punt return teams to generate numbers that lead to ideal field position. Neither Mike Thomas, before his trade to the Detroit Lions, or newcomer Micheal Spurlock have been much of a threat as punt returners. The same goes for Jelen Parmele on kickoffs, where only one return has exceeded 30 yards. The Jaguars are 30th in the NFL in kickoff starting position (20.1 yard line), and 25th in their opponents’ starting drive (26.8 yard line) after kickoffs. The biggest bright spot continues to be Scobee, who has converted 15 of 16 field goals. Getting a punt blocked for a touchdown at Green Bay because nobody accounted for a gunner moving inside was inexcusable. With the Jaguars having so little margin for error on offense and defense, they could use a dynamic return man to make things easier. Having an average special teams unit is fine for teams that are Super Bowl contenders, but the Jaguars need a lot more juice.

Coaching

F: Mike Mularkey was hired specifically to jump-start an anemic offense, but there’s no evidence of the Jaguars being an improved product. No doubt the Jaguars have been somewhat handcuffed by injuries, as well as Gabbert having to adjust to a new system. Still, five blowout losses at home is a serious indictment on Mularkey. It was considered a coup when he retained Tucker, who almost went to the Vikings, and most of the defensive staff. However, that continuity has not reaped any benefits as the defense has fallen from 6th to 27th. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski can’t seem to get his unit into any consistent rhythm. The Jaguars are 28th in third-down efficiency, are notoriously slow starters (one first-quarter TD), and too often go long stretches without scoring. Every coaching staff needs time to get untracked, but few thought the Jaguars would have the NFL’s worst record after nine games. Getting rid of Jack Del Rio was supposed to be an upgrade. Instead, the team’s struggles have only deepened.

While I agree Smith needs to go, firing him now won't make this team any better. Plus, who takes his place? Do you hire/promote someone who is available now? Is there someone on another team's staff who might be a good pick? If so, you can't negotiate with them until after the season.

What I'd like to see is a change of the team's culture. Too many players seem to be "going through the motions". I don't see the same enthusiasm we had in the 90s. Players seem to be more worried about getting hurt than making a play. In the old days we called it "lack of hustle".

Good article with an honest assessment of where this team is not going.
I guess when Mr. Khan said the train was leaving the station, he meant only 100 feet down the track.
MJD could have sauntered back anytime.

Good news is that we drafted a starter in the third round and our offense has been designed to make the most use of him.
And we thought Gene didn't have a plan!
Well he showed us, didn't he.

What a gorgeous day today! Sun shining.....warm.....and no embarrassing effort by the Wads. Perhaps they should suffer all their defeats on Thursday so we can enjoy the weekend and have real teams on TV.